The Central Coast Section will conclude its baseball and softball playoffs this Friday and Saturday. We take a quick look at each matchup to determine section titles.
OPEN DIVISION BASEBALL
Valley Christian vs Los Gatos – Friday, 7 pm at San Jose Municipal
As expected, the three-seed Warriors have been dominant in their first two games, blanking Sacred Heart Prep and San Benito by identical 8-0 scores. Senior Arkansas commit Patrick Wicklander was dominant in the win over SHP, striking out seven and allowing one hit over five innings, and he is set to take the mound against the Wildcats.
Fellow senior pitcher Kevin Pence went five innings in the win over San Benito, allowing just three hits and throwing just 71 pitches, so he is available as well, along with Steven Zobac and William Kempner out of the pen, not to mention Eddie Park, who has four hits in the past two games.
Los Gatos, meanwhile, got a huge performance on the mound from junior Trevor Allen in the 2-1 win over Serra in the semifinals, and will hand the ball in the final to Luke Short, who shut down Palo Alto in the quarterfinals, striking out seven in the complete game performance. Senior Tyler Williams has seven hits in the last three games for the Wildcats.
Valley Christian is seeking to repeat its title from last year, while Los Gatos is looking for its first crown since winning the Division II crown in 2009.
DIVISION I BASEBALL
Los Altos vs Bellarmine – Friday, 4 pm at San Jose Municipal
This sure didn’t seem possible a month ago for Los Altos, when the Eagles were mired in a seven-game losing streak. Getting hot at the right time, and playing a rugged schedule in the SCVAL-De Anza has benefited Los Altos, however, and after blowing past Alisal, Mountain View, and Piedmont Hills, the Eagles will face a heavily favored Bellarmine squad in the final.
When Los Altos routed Piedmont Hills in the semifinals, 10-0 behind a five RBI performance from Colin Homan, it was junior Ryan Baum who went the distance on the mound, striking out five and allowing one hit. That means have ace Alex Reelfs ready to go against the Bells, and he brings 2.14 ERA with 75 strikeouts into the title game.
Bellarmine, meanwhile, has been regarded as an overwhelmingly heavy favorite since the brackets were revealed, especially considering they are this year’s Boras Classic champions. But the Bells have been less dominant at the plate during the first three rounds of the playoffs, relying on phenomenal pitching to get them to the title game. After beating Lincoln 4-0 in the first round, it has been back-to-back 1-0 wins for Bellarmine, beating Homestead and Carlmont by identical scores.
In the semifinals, it was Wes Harper who went the distance against the Scots, striking out seven and allowing four hits. That means both Michael Mitchell and Josh Mollerus are well rested. Mitchell is 6-0 with a 0.49 ERA this season.
It has been over a decade since either of these programs won a section title, with Los Altos wearing the Division II crown in 2007 and Bellarmine claiming the 2006 Division I title. Los Altos fell to Westmont in last year’s Division I title game.
DIVISION II BASEBALL
Saint Francis vs Soledad – Saturday, 7 pm at San Jose Municipal
After defeating its first two playoff opponents by 10 runs apiece, Saint Francis went to work late at night to down WCAL rival Mitty, 2-0, in the semifinals. The Lancers are certainly favorites against top seed Soledad, especially with a lineup featuring Baylor-bound Ricky Martinez, who is batting over .400.
The Aztecs, however, have lived up to the top seed and have designs on spoiling things. Soledad has won 17 straight games after its 6-5, 11-inning marathon win over Christopher in the semifinals.
Junior ace Andrew Holquin threw for Soledad in its semifinal victory.
Saint Francis is seeking its fourth section title this decade.
DIVISION III BASEBALL
The King’s Academy vs St. Francis-Watsonville – Saturday, 4 pm at San Jose Municipal
The PAL-Ocean champion Knights have won five straight after blanking Carmel, 9-0, in the semifinals. St. Francis, meanwhile, routed Palma in the semifinals, as Chase Watkins struck out 13 and allowed just three hits.
Both programs are seeking their first section titles.
OPEN DIVISION SOFTBALL
Mitty vs Saint Francis – Saturday, 3 pm at San Jose PAL
Like clockwork, Mitty is playing for the section title after pounding out 13 hits against St. Ignatius ace Madie Augusto in a 7-1 victory over the Wildcats in the semifinals, setting up a rematch from last year’s Open Division title game, when the Monarchs beat Saint Francis, 9-5.
Mitty is seeking its fifth straight section crown, and seventh this decade. The Monarchs are also playing in the title game for the 20th time.
Saint Francis got a strong seven-strikeout, five-hit performance from pitcher Jordan Schuring in a 4-2 semifinal victory over Watsonville, while sophomore Sophia Roth hit her first home run of the season. The Lancers are seeking their first section crown, but have won 45 games in the last two seasons under coach Mike Oakland.
DIVISION I SOFTBALL
Gilroy vs San Benito – Saturday, 12:30 pm at San Jose PAL
It’s an all Monterey Bay League affair in the title game, as Gilroy and San Benito will lock horns after having split their regular-season meetings.
After playing a brutal non-league schedule, the Balers got the 15 seed despite sharing the MBL-Gabilan title with Watsonville. It has mattered little to San Benito, who got past Santa Clara and standout pitcher Kathryn Carvalho in the first round, and then shut out both Christopher and San Mateo in the next two games to reach the final. Amanda Moisa allowed just three hits in five innings against the Bearcats in the semifinals, while the offense pounded out 13 hits.
Gilroy has been dominant in its post-season run, outscoring Independence, Los Altos, and North Salinas by a combined score of 27-5. Sophomore Abby Clark had three hits in the semifinal win over North Salinas. Pitcher Gianni Vanni is now 13-5 with a 2.70 ERA for the Mustangs.
Gilroy is looking for its first title in five years, having captured the 2013 Division II title, while San Benito is looking to extend its run of dominance in the past decade-plus. Since 2006, the Balers have won 10 titles, including eight straight from 2006-2013 and back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
DIVISION II SOFTBALL
Santa Catalina vs Carmel – Saturday, 10 am at San Jose PAL
Like the Division I title game, this game features a pair of league rivals, as the Mission Trail Athletic League will claim a title no matter who wins. The big difference here is that Santa Catalina swept all three regular season meetings with the Padres.
The Cougars have been continuing to ride the arm of freshman Emma James, while the offense showed tremendous patience at the plate in an 11-4 semifinal win over Half Moon Bay, drawing 11 free passes. Meanwhile, senior Katie Fraley provides pop at the plate, with four home runs. Santa Catalina has not lost since March 12, and brings a 20-1 record into the title game.
Carmel has won four straight since a May 5 defeat to Santa Catalina, including a rout over rival Pacific Grove in the quarterfinals and a marathon, 11-inning 6-3 win over top seed Hillsdale in the semifinals. Junior Jessica Pavloff is the arm in the circle for the Padres.
Santa Catalina is seeking to add to its 2012 section title, while Carmel is looking for its first title.
